Lev 19.28, 19; Gal 3.23-24; Matt 5.17
We’ve been working through a series of messages on how the voices in popular culture are calling people to “follow me.” Sometimes, into life and health, but other times into a dead end kind of life. Some of the topics we’ve talked about have been clear cut, even obvious. Today’s topic is anything but.
The trend today is tattooing. It is a very old practice. Usually used as a way to be identified or to show devotion to a group or god. The Ancient Chinese, Canaanites and Romans used tattoos these ways. They marked slaves, criminals and outcasts. Tattoos have been used as a rite of passage, sign of devotion or bravery.
Increasingly, tattoos are being used in other ways. As wearable art, as a way to hide scars. As a sign of devotion to Christ or a way to mark important life experiences.
And as you may know, the Church has generally held the opinion that tattooing is wrong. And I am well aware that sitting in this room right now are people who share that position as well as the opposite. For some tattoos are bad, for others, not so much. Some do not and will never undergo the process of getting one. Others have and will.
One thing is certain, the practice is growing. In North America, 1 in 5 adults have a tattoo and the rate is going up. So this is something worth talking about.
The only Bible passage that has anything to say directly about the practice is Leviticus 19.28. Where it says, 28 “‘Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.”
And while that may seem clear enough there are a few issues to be aware of.
First: context.
You need to know that Leviticus 19 is part of a book of laws. The overall point of the book is how God makes a way for sinful people to approach a holy God. So chapter 19 begins with a very common phrase:
Lev 19 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
Be holy, that is, set apart, different than the people who live around you who do not know the Lord. And chapter 19 lists many, many ways the people were to do this and be reminded of God’s holiness all at the same time. Here are a few more examples from chapter 19.
26 “ ‘Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it.
“ ‘Do not practice divination or sorcery.
27 “ ‘Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.
29 “ ‘Do not degrade your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will turn to prostitution and be filled with wickedness.
30 “ ‘Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am the Lord.
We read more of them earlier and they sound familiar, right?
19 “ ‘Keep my decrees.
“ ‘Do not mate different kinds of animals.
“ ‘Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed.
“ ‘Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.
But let’s be honest, some of them are a little odd. Don’t eat meat with blood in it? Is that even possible? Don’t cut the hair on the side of your head? Or the edges of your beard? It also appears that mules are out, so King David broke at least one of these laws. And according to this list, at least some people here broke the one about two kinds of seed in one field. And just about everyone here is in violation of the last one. Who isn’t wearing a cotton poly blend?
The point is that God provides these laws back then so that his people back then could understand what God had done in setting them free from Egypt and ungodly practices. Witchcraft, fortune telling and scarring or marking their bodies as a religious ritual, superstition, or for showing their love for false gods.
The point? Context matters. Every Bible text has a reason why it was first written and what it means since Jesus rose from the dead.
Second: All or Nothing?
The second thing to notice is that when Jesus talks about the Law, he makes it clear that humanity is in an all or nothing situation. All the Law, including Leviticus 19 remains in effect. At least at some level. Until his return. You know the passage: Matthew 5.17-19
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
And some would like, on that basis to prohibit tattooing then, now and always. The problem is, however that we will have to give up much more than tattoos if we go this route.
Look at the verses in Leviticus 19 again: No more mixed fiber fabrics. Clothing, sheets, towels, whatever. No more haircuts. Every male must allow their beard to grow untrimmed. Ever woman must not pluck their eyebrows or any other facial hair that might appear. No more shaving your head, armpits or legs. No more pork, sausage or mixed breed animals. And you had better be. Here. Every. Sunday.
The truth is that God’s Law stands forever, but the application of it changes. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection “accomplishes” much. In him things have changed for those who believe. The Animal sacrifice system as Israel knew it is over. Good Friday took care of that.
At the same time, other commandments of scripture remain in effect. The Great Commandment is just one example.
Matt 22.37-40 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Take note that both are Old Testament texts. Love God is from Dt 6.5 and Love of neighbor is from Lev 19.18. So the question is how do we work this out, line by line?
Galatians 3.23-25 helps us here.
23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
The laws of Leviticus were a tool to teach infant Israel who God is and how to live apart from the surrounding culture in a way that honors God. Believers in Christ are not required to follow the letter of those laws. This is why we don’t read about tattoos or fabric in the New Testament.
But we are required to follow the spirit in them. Which is why we do read about love one another, do not steal, murder or be sexually careless.
So, back to the main point: To tattoo or not tattoo
There are two big reasons why Christians have rejected tattooing in the past. The first we just talked about. Leviticus 19 no longer applies to believers.
The second, has more to do with the culture of the times and a certain way of understanding humanity made in God’s image.
In 330 AD the emperor Constantine outlawed tattoos. He said, “Because the human face reflected the image of divine beauty, it should not be defiled." The 2nd of Nicaea supported that in 787 as part of the argument over whether we should use pictures of Jesus or Mary in the church.
He wanted to make a break from unchristian Roman values to faith in Christ. Gladiators and criminals, even slaves were routinely tattooed on their faces and Constantine thought the process degraded them, which it did. It also marked them permanently. So that even after they came to faith people would still think they were bound by their old life, rather than life in Christ.
And in the same way, 1 Corinthians 6.19-20 is often brought into the argument. “You were bought with a price, honour God with your body.” With the following lament, that tattoo will get saggy or fuzzy. Which may be true, but is more about that person’s discomfort than Gospel truth.
In response, believers have said that while we bear the image of God that does not mean God looks like us. Further, if disfiguring the body with tattoos is wrong, then so too is cutting hair, using makeup, piercings and so on. Piercings, by the way, are not forbidden in the Bible.
Tattooed believers will also quote Matt 23.26 and similar passages to argue that God cares about the inner person most of all. And if the “inside” is clean, then the “outside” will be too. This is a pretty good argument because as you might remember, in the Old Testament, a man who was made into a eunuch could not worship with God’s people based on a bodily “modification.” But the Ethiopian eunuch was baptised into the church.
So both “sides” can make reasonable arguments concerning the practice. And it’s in this way that we find ourselves “disputable ground.” An area where respect for difference is needed. These are the “non-salvation” issues that people stubbornly divide over.
Romans 14 talks about this at length. The people in his time were divided over what was okay to eat. Paul sums it up with these words:
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. 14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
Based on our study this morning, tattooing is not a salvation issue. But at the same time, it does say something about a person’s identity and values.
Think Before You Ink
Let’s try to wrap this up. There is no doubt that we can over identify with our culture and confuse the message of Christ by how we act. And it seems likely that at some point, a person can go too far and disrespect their body as given by God to be protected and honored.
So here is a list of questions that might help the discernment process.
1. What is the motive?
Why do I want it? To fit in, vanity, trend following? Is the tattoo a way to identify with a gang or an act of rebellion? Shock value? If so, you should probably pass.
Or, is your desire to honour God through body art? Is your desire to mark divine encounters and either painful or joyful experiences? Are you ready to tell the story of your tattoo as a part of your walk with the Lord? I have known people who have shared their joy and regret through the tattoos they wear.
2. What does the tattoo say about your identity – self-understanding?
I understand people are tattooed while undergoing radiation treatment. They put a target down to target the cancer precisely. Alzheimer patients are sometimes tattooed with their names in the event they get lost? Facial scarring can be covered by using skin colored tattoos. And increasingly, women who have undergone mastectomies are tattooing the scar tissue to redeem the experience.
If you get a tattoo will modesty be a factor? Will it be visible and attract improper attention to your body? This speaks also to size, number, location and content.
3. What about the future?
This is practical but important. How will a tattoo impact job opportunities, future spouse. How might it impact present and future relationships?
4. Is my decision based on faith and will the result be glorifying to God?
Romans 14 says that our lives together are to be a matter of righteousness, peace and joy in the Spirit.
And this cuts both ways.
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
So if you can answer “yes” to this question and I cannot, then maybe I have to trust the Lord on the matter and not my feelings or opinions. But maybe you have to be gracious and in humility help me to understand your decision to get a tattoo.
In either event, we are in this together. We live in a world demanding our attention, hoping to shape our values. Together, we have been called to follow the Spirit so that our choices lead to the life worthy of the hope we profess.
Source:http://sonriseponoka.com/news/2015/11/1/bad-ink (AUDIO CAN BE HEARD FRON THIS LINK.)
We’ve been working through a series of messages on how the voices in popular culture are calling people to “follow me.” Sometimes, into life and health, but other times into a dead end kind of life. Some of the topics we’ve talked about have been clear cut, even obvious. Today’s topic is anything but.
The trend today is tattooing. It is a very old practice. Usually used as a way to be identified or to show devotion to a group or god. The Ancient Chinese, Canaanites and Romans used tattoos these ways. They marked slaves, criminals and outcasts. Tattoos have been used as a rite of passage, sign of devotion or bravery.
Increasingly, tattoos are being used in other ways. As wearable art, as a way to hide scars. As a sign of devotion to Christ or a way to mark important life experiences.
And as you may know, the Church has generally held the opinion that tattooing is wrong. And I am well aware that sitting in this room right now are people who share that position as well as the opposite. For some tattoos are bad, for others, not so much. Some do not and will never undergo the process of getting one. Others have and will.
One thing is certain, the practice is growing. In North America, 1 in 5 adults have a tattoo and the rate is going up. So this is something worth talking about.
The only Bible passage that has anything to say directly about the practice is Leviticus 19.28. Where it says, 28 “‘Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.”
And while that may seem clear enough there are a few issues to be aware of.
First: context.
You need to know that Leviticus 19 is part of a book of laws. The overall point of the book is how God makes a way for sinful people to approach a holy God. So chapter 19 begins with a very common phrase:
Lev 19 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
Be holy, that is, set apart, different than the people who live around you who do not know the Lord. And chapter 19 lists many, many ways the people were to do this and be reminded of God’s holiness all at the same time. Here are a few more examples from chapter 19.
26 “ ‘Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it.
“ ‘Do not practice divination or sorcery.
27 “ ‘Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.
29 “ ‘Do not degrade your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will turn to prostitution and be filled with wickedness.
30 “ ‘Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am the Lord.
We read more of them earlier and they sound familiar, right?
19 “ ‘Keep my decrees.
“ ‘Do not mate different kinds of animals.
“ ‘Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed.
“ ‘Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.
But let’s be honest, some of them are a little odd. Don’t eat meat with blood in it? Is that even possible? Don’t cut the hair on the side of your head? Or the edges of your beard? It also appears that mules are out, so King David broke at least one of these laws. And according to this list, at least some people here broke the one about two kinds of seed in one field. And just about everyone here is in violation of the last one. Who isn’t wearing a cotton poly blend?
The point is that God provides these laws back then so that his people back then could understand what God had done in setting them free from Egypt and ungodly practices. Witchcraft, fortune telling and scarring or marking their bodies as a religious ritual, superstition, or for showing their love for false gods.
The point? Context matters. Every Bible text has a reason why it was first written and what it means since Jesus rose from the dead.
Second: All or Nothing?
The second thing to notice is that when Jesus talks about the Law, he makes it clear that humanity is in an all or nothing situation. All the Law, including Leviticus 19 remains in effect. At least at some level. Until his return. You know the passage: Matthew 5.17-19
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
And some would like, on that basis to prohibit tattooing then, now and always. The problem is, however that we will have to give up much more than tattoos if we go this route.
Look at the verses in Leviticus 19 again: No more mixed fiber fabrics. Clothing, sheets, towels, whatever. No more haircuts. Every male must allow their beard to grow untrimmed. Ever woman must not pluck their eyebrows or any other facial hair that might appear. No more shaving your head, armpits or legs. No more pork, sausage or mixed breed animals. And you had better be. Here. Every. Sunday.
The truth is that God’s Law stands forever, but the application of it changes. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection “accomplishes” much. In him things have changed for those who believe. The Animal sacrifice system as Israel knew it is over. Good Friday took care of that.
At the same time, other commandments of scripture remain in effect. The Great Commandment is just one example.
Matt 22.37-40 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Take note that both are Old Testament texts. Love God is from Dt 6.5 and Love of neighbor is from Lev 19.18. So the question is how do we work this out, line by line?
Galatians 3.23-25 helps us here.
23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
The laws of Leviticus were a tool to teach infant Israel who God is and how to live apart from the surrounding culture in a way that honors God. Believers in Christ are not required to follow the letter of those laws. This is why we don’t read about tattoos or fabric in the New Testament.
But we are required to follow the spirit in them. Which is why we do read about love one another, do not steal, murder or be sexually careless.
So, back to the main point: To tattoo or not tattoo
There are two big reasons why Christians have rejected tattooing in the past. The first we just talked about. Leviticus 19 no longer applies to believers.
The second, has more to do with the culture of the times and a certain way of understanding humanity made in God’s image.
In 330 AD the emperor Constantine outlawed tattoos. He said, “Because the human face reflected the image of divine beauty, it should not be defiled." The 2nd of Nicaea supported that in 787 as part of the argument over whether we should use pictures of Jesus or Mary in the church.
He wanted to make a break from unchristian Roman values to faith in Christ. Gladiators and criminals, even slaves were routinely tattooed on their faces and Constantine thought the process degraded them, which it did. It also marked them permanently. So that even after they came to faith people would still think they were bound by their old life, rather than life in Christ.
And in the same way, 1 Corinthians 6.19-20 is often brought into the argument. “You were bought with a price, honour God with your body.” With the following lament, that tattoo will get saggy or fuzzy. Which may be true, but is more about that person’s discomfort than Gospel truth.
In response, believers have said that while we bear the image of God that does not mean God looks like us. Further, if disfiguring the body with tattoos is wrong, then so too is cutting hair, using makeup, piercings and so on. Piercings, by the way, are not forbidden in the Bible.
Tattooed believers will also quote Matt 23.26 and similar passages to argue that God cares about the inner person most of all. And if the “inside” is clean, then the “outside” will be too. This is a pretty good argument because as you might remember, in the Old Testament, a man who was made into a eunuch could not worship with God’s people based on a bodily “modification.” But the Ethiopian eunuch was baptised into the church.
So both “sides” can make reasonable arguments concerning the practice. And it’s in this way that we find ourselves “disputable ground.” An area where respect for difference is needed. These are the “non-salvation” issues that people stubbornly divide over.
Romans 14 talks about this at length. The people in his time were divided over what was okay to eat. Paul sums it up with these words:
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. 14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
Based on our study this morning, tattooing is not a salvation issue. But at the same time, it does say something about a person’s identity and values.
Think Before You Ink
Let’s try to wrap this up. There is no doubt that we can over identify with our culture and confuse the message of Christ by how we act. And it seems likely that at some point, a person can go too far and disrespect their body as given by God to be protected and honored.
So here is a list of questions that might help the discernment process.
1. What is the motive?
Why do I want it? To fit in, vanity, trend following? Is the tattoo a way to identify with a gang or an act of rebellion? Shock value? If so, you should probably pass.
Or, is your desire to honour God through body art? Is your desire to mark divine encounters and either painful or joyful experiences? Are you ready to tell the story of your tattoo as a part of your walk with the Lord? I have known people who have shared their joy and regret through the tattoos they wear.
2. What does the tattoo say about your identity – self-understanding?
I understand people are tattooed while undergoing radiation treatment. They put a target down to target the cancer precisely. Alzheimer patients are sometimes tattooed with their names in the event they get lost? Facial scarring can be covered by using skin colored tattoos. And increasingly, women who have undergone mastectomies are tattooing the scar tissue to redeem the experience.
If you get a tattoo will modesty be a factor? Will it be visible and attract improper attention to your body? This speaks also to size, number, location and content.
3. What about the future?
This is practical but important. How will a tattoo impact job opportunities, future spouse. How might it impact present and future relationships?
4. Is my decision based on faith and will the result be glorifying to God?
Romans 14 says that our lives together are to be a matter of righteousness, peace and joy in the Spirit.
And this cuts both ways.
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
So if you can answer “yes” to this question and I cannot, then maybe I have to trust the Lord on the matter and not my feelings or opinions. But maybe you have to be gracious and in humility help me to understand your decision to get a tattoo.
In either event, we are in this together. We live in a world demanding our attention, hoping to shape our values. Together, we have been called to follow the Spirit so that our choices lead to the life worthy of the hope we profess.
Source:http://sonriseponoka.com/news/2015/11/1/bad-ink (AUDIO CAN BE HEARD FRON THIS LINK.)
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